In the expansion please please......

[Fornix]

That's not true, FFXI had the same level cap for 7 years and all the content in that game had its uses. 7 years at the same level doesn't seem like a short lifespan to me.

Not just FFXI, many MMO's have had static level caps during the entire duration of the game or for a very long time. There's upsides and downsides to such a system though. Yes, it creates a larger quantity of content accessible at the same time. However, there's commonly a high level of grind involved to get players at the top end.

Whereas with periodic increases newer players can very rapidly catch up due to steps of new gear being easily accessible. Making games like this more welcoming to newer players.

[Xystic]

That's not true, FFXI had the same level cap for 7 years and all the content in that game had its uses. 7 years at the same level doesn't seem like a short lifespan to me.

Just because it was around for 7 years does not mean it was thriving. WoW, could have survived for a long time on Vanilla style designs but it became evident that if you made content long and lengthy, you formed this gigantic pit in the community that slowly caused the MMO to decay and die off. If it was as viable as you claim, we wouldn't be here, discussing whether long and lengthy is viable or not.

[Darkshade]

I'd also like a legitimate way to obtain additional retainers without paying an additional monthly premium. Perhaps there could be a sidequest to get another one with the expansion? Just a thought.

[Xystic]

Whereas with periodic increases newer players can very rapidly catch up due to steps of new gear being easily accessible. Making games like this more welcoming to newer players.

It also made sure that hardcore players had a steady pool of geared people to recruit from. During my hardcore days during vanilla, it was annoying that we would have to turn around to gear newer recruits, which took months, before we could return to the forefront of progression. By that time, you would lose people and would have to repeat that cycle of recruiting/regearing. When content was shortened and up to par gear was provided, it removed the problem of small recruitment pools and huge gear gaps.

It benefited newer players and hardcore players alike.

[kyuven]

It benefited newer players and hardcore players alike.

That reminds me of the old days of content, where content was locked via keys and only a finite number of keys could be produced on the server at any given time.
You were either in the elite of the elite guilds, or you never even got to see one. Nothing in-between.
Dark times, dark times.
Nowadays if Joe Tank leaves the game or finds his true calling as a longshoremen and can't play during raids, you can gear up John Tank in a week or two and not lose any progress.
I don't miss the old system at all.